Eddie the Eagle to fly at Worthing Birdman
A FAMOUS British ski-jumper will be taking to the skies at this year's Worthing Birdman.
Eddie 'The Eagle' Edwards has agreed to be the Birdman representative for children's medical research charity, Sparks.
Eddie became well-known after his eccentric efforts at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary endeared him to millions of viewers.
In January, Eddie was chosen as an official Olympic torchbearer for the Vancouver Winter Games, and a film chronicling his colourful life is currently in production with actor Rupert Grint, from Harry Potter.
Birdman before
Eddie said: "I'm doing the Worthing Birdman because it's a great fun challenge and I had a crack at the Bognor Birdman event back in 1989 when I managed 11-metres before splashdown.
"I tried it again in 1990 wearing skis and using a mini ramp to jump off, but didn't do as well.
"This time I've got the incentive to do better by trying to raise 30k for a great charity, Sparks, who fund so much wonderful medical research work for children."
Children's charity
Ann-Marie Blackman, community fund-raiser for Sparks in the south east, said: "Sparks is delighted the one and only Eddie The Eagle Edwards has picked up the gauntlet and agreed to be the charity's representative.
We are all looking forward to a spectacular soaraway leap into the Worthing sky."
Eddie has previously cycled 1,145 miles from John O'Groats to Land's End on a tandem, biked from Inverness to London, and played countless rounds of charity golf to raise money for Sparks.
For more information about the charity, visit www.sparks.org.uk or donate online at www.justgiving.com/ann-marie-blackman
Show your support for Worthing Birdman by adding the event logo to your Facebook or Twitter profiles with the Herald's Birdman Twibbon.
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Weather for Worthing
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 0 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 1 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South west
